Sir Bani Yas Island Nature Sanctuary
Located 250 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi city in the Al Dhafra region, Sir Bani Yas Island is one of the UAE's most extraordinary natural sanctuaries. Established as a private royal wildlife reserve in 1971 by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan under the visionary 'Greening of the Desert' initiative, over half of the 87-square-kilometer island is occupied by the Arabian Wildlife Park. Today, more than 17,000 free-roaming animals inhabit the island's salt-dome ridges, acacia plains, and coastal lagoons. Visitors can embark on guided open-top safari drives to witness large herds of the once-endangered Arabian oryx, gazelles, cheetahs, striped hyenas, and roaming giraffes living in harmony. Sir Bani Yas is also of paramount archaeological significance. Over 42 historic sites have been identified, most notably the ruins of an ancient 7th-century Christian monastery and church complex, proving the historical role of the Gulf as a crossroads of civilizations.
“A pristine natural island sanctuary home to the Arabian Wildlife Park, over 17,000 free-roaming animals, and 7th-century monastic ruins.”
— Tourism Compass Heritage Committee